CORTLAND, N.Y. - United State College Hockey Online (USCHO) has announced their preseason poll. Three teams from the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC), Oswego, Plattsburgh, and Geneseo, appear on the list that includes fifteen of the top Division III hockey programs across the United States.
Oswego was placed at number seven in the poll. The Lakers are coming off of a 21-6-1 season where they finished as the conference runner-up. This season, they look to continue their strong play with the addition of six high-scoring forwards, including A.J. D'Orazio and Tanner Spink. The Lakers open up conference play on Novermber 3 against Cortland.
Plattsburgh came in just behind Oswego at number eight. The defending SUNYAC champion Cardinals finished 17-10-1 last season, including a 7-1-1 streak in the last nine games of the season. They then went on to upset Oswego in the conference championship, 3-2. The Cardinals have brought in a polished recruiting class, including Sam Schultz and Tommy Bowe, to fortify their defense. Plattsburgh opens up conference play against Brockport on November 10.
Geneseo rounded out the SUNYAC representation at number twelve on the poll. The Knights, who were ranked first in the 2017-18 SUNYAC coaches poll, are looking to avenge a 2016-17 campaign that ended too soon. Geneseo blanked Brockport, 7-0, before falling to Plattburgh in the semfinals of the conference tournament. The Knights will look to bounce back this season as they start off SUNYAC play with a match-up against Buffalo State on November 3.
Buffalo State also receieved votes in the poll, falling short of making the top 15.
